In January this year, West Ham United Academy midfielder Gabriel Caliste made history by becoming the first Mauritian player to sign a professional contract for a Premier League club.
However, his pathway to professional football, as is the case for many of our aspiring young Hammers, was far from straightforward.
From trialling at West Ham with grassroots teammate and current U21s captain Airidas Golambeckis, to spending spells at Dagenham & Redbridge, Millwall and Billericay Town, Caliste’s journey eventually led him back to Chadwell Heath.
He signed on his 15th birthday and went on to become part of the young group of Irons who won the U18 Premier League Cup for the first time towards the end of 2024/25, a few months after signing full-time terms.
Now a senior Mauritius international, his debut shirt proudly hangs on the wall at Chadwell Heath training ground.
This is his West Ham story…
Playing grassroots with current Hammers teammate Airidas Golambeckis — 7 years old
“This must have been a local U8s tournament with East Ham Rovers. I used to play with Airidas [Golambeckis, current West Ham United U21s captain]. I remember running around, scoring. Airidas was actually a striker in those days. I’d play behind him in midfield and assist all his goals. I’d get best player and he’d get top goalscorer! That probably explains his goalscoring form from centre-back last season for the U18s!
“Our coaches worked part-time for West Ham, maybe in a Foundation-type capacity. They got me and Airidas into the pre-Academy. Airidas was kept on, and I ended up at Dagenham.”
Signing for Dagenham & Redbridge — 9 years old
“I signed for Dagenham & Redbridge the season they got relegated from the Football League. I really enjoyed my time there, scoring lots of goals playing as a winger. Kenny Brown was the Academy Manager there at the time. Unfortunately, with them going down to the National League, their Academy closed down.”
Playing for Millwall at The Den — 13 years old
“After Dagenham’s Academy closed down, the parents got together and we built our own team. In one of the tournaments we competed in, I had been spotted by a scout and was invited to play at Millwall.
“I spent three seasons there. The first one was a really good season, still playing as an attacker, scoring a lot. After that, I moved into midfield and things just slowed down a bit for me. This picture is from my last game at Millwall, when we played at The Den against Brighton.”
Captaining Billericay Town Academy — 14 years old
“After I was released from Millwall, I took a break from football. I had to ask myself what I wanted to do. Once my head was clear, I came to the conclusion that I still wanted football.
“The goalkeeper from when I was at Dagenham, his Dad was a coach at Billericay. We were still in touch with him, and he got me into the team. That's when I started to enjoy my football again. I was playing the best football I’ve ever played.
“I then went on trial at Colchester United, and just as I was about to put pen to paper, West Ham came up. I impressed on trial and signed on my birthday!”
Representing Mauritius — 17 years old
“Playing for Mauritius came a bit out of the blue. Both my parents are from Mauritius, but met here in England. As a family, we hadn't really thought about me representing Mauritius, because it's such a small island. We didn’t know too much about if they even had a national team. But then, a Mauritian agent based in France, who helps out with the national team, messaged me a little over a year ago.
“He was just wondering if I was interested in representing Mauritius. I wasn't too sure at first, because obviously my focus was England. That's the dream. But speaking to the agent, he assured me that I’d be playing in the senior team. It was too good an opportunity to turn down.
“This game was from my second call-up in Hong Kong. It was the day after my 18th birthday. The facilities there were crazy!”
Winning the Premier League Cup — 18 years old
“Last season was very up and down. I made a really good start. As a second-year scholar I was playing really well, I had been called up a couple of times to train with the first team, which is where I tore my hamstring!
“Just when I was hitting my stride, I was suddenly out for eight weeks. My first game back though was probably our best game of the season. We beat Manchester United on penalties in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals, and I scored! It was just a great feeling to be part of that team, and we obviously went on to win it!”
